US3904871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target locating circuit using a lateral photoelectric diode
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-07-05
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-07-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed in the application refers to a method of signal processing and circuitry coupled to a lateral photoelectric diode to accurately determine the position of a target from the output of the lateral photoelectric diode using a unique characteristic of the diode. The approach utilizes the innate transmission delay line property of the lateral photoelectric diode.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Dueker
- 👤 Richard H Glaenzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An improved target locating circuit comprising: a. a lateral photoelectric diode having first and second sides; b. said diode having a light sensitive surface on said first side; c. first, second, third and fourth electrodes positioned on said second side spaced from each other; d. a fifth electrode on the first side of said diode; e. means for biasing said diode coupled to said electrodes to cause a depletion region to exist within said diode; f. means for imaging a light source upon said light sensitive surface; g. means for interrupting said light source image at a predetermined rate; h. means connected to said first, second, third and fourth electrodes to measure the time of arrival at said first, second, third and fourth electrodes of electrical signals caused by said imaged light source on said active surface; and, i. means for comparing said time of arrival at said first, second, third and fourth electrodes coupled to said first, second, third and fourth electrodes to display the position of said light source upon said light sensitive surface and thereby determining its location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved target locating circuit comprising: a. a lateral photoelectric diode having first and second sides; b. said diode having a light sensitive surface on said first side; c. first, second, third and fourth electrodes positioned on said second side spaced from each other; d. a fifth electrode on the first side of said diode; e. means for biasing said diode coupled to said electrodes to cause a depletion region to exist within said diode; f. means for imaging a light source upon said light sensitive surface; g. means for interrupting said light source image at a predetermined rate; h. means connected to said first, second, third and fourth electrodes to measure the time of arrival at said first, second, third and fourth electrodes of electrical signals caused by said imaged light source on said active surface; and, i. means for comparing said time of arrival at said first, second, third and fourth electrodes coupled to said first, second, third and fourth electrodes to display the position of said light source upon said light sensitive surface and thereby determining its location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improved target locating circuit of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth electrodes are uniformly spaced about said first side, said first and third electrodes being substantially the same distance from each other as said second and fourth electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved target locating circuit of claim 2 wherein said fifth electrode is substantially circular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved target locating circuit of claim 3 wherein said biasing means is coupled to said fifth electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved target locating circuit of claim 4 wherein said interrupting means causes light images from a remote source to fall upon the light sensitive surface in short pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
An improved target locating circuit comprising: a. a lateral photoelectric diode having first and second sides; b. said diode having a light sensitive surface on said first side; c. first, second, third and fourth electrodes positioned on said second side spaced from each other; d. a fifth electrode on the first side of said diode; e. means for biasing said diode coupled to said electrodes to cause a depletion region to exist within said diode; f. means for imaging a periodically fluctuating light source upon said light sensitive surface; g. means for comparing the phase differential between the signal generated at the first, second, third and fourth electrodes; and, h. means for displaying said phase differential between said first, second, third and fourth electrodes as position of said light source on said light sensitive surface of said lateral photoelectric diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
An improved target locating circuit comprising: a. a lateral photoelectric diode having first and second sides; b. said diode having a light sensitive surface on said first side; c. first, second, third and fourth electrodes positioned on said second side spaced from each other; d. a fifth electrode on the first side of said diode; e. means for biasing said diode coupled to said electrodes to cause a depletion region to exist within said diode; f. means for imaging a periodically fluctuating light source upon said light sensitive surface; g. means for comparing the phase differential between the signal generated at the first, second, third and fourth electrodes; and, h. means for displaying said phase differential between said first, second, third and fourth electrodes as position of said light source on said light sensitive surface of said lateral photoelectric diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved target circuit of claim 6 wherein said periodically fluctuating light source is a sinusoidal wave configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improved target locating circuit of claim 7 wherein means are included for obtaining a reference signal from said modulating light source to compare the phase differential with the signal generated at first, second, third and fourth electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |